Soffit weep corner

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed toward a device and system for removing moisture from the drainage plane of the exterior cladding to the surface of the exterior wall, and is specifically designed for use in soffits and overhangs. The device comprises both at least one angled portion which directs water from the drainage plane of the exterior wall, through the stucco cladding and to the outside of the building. A drip edge and lip on the bottom of the device further create a cup or gap which prevents the moving water from further moving along the underside of the overhang.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application is directed toward a device and system for removing moisture from the drainage plane of the exterior wall of a building, to the outside of the exterior cladding, and is specifically designed for use in soffits and overhangs.

2. Description of the Related Art

Drainage systems are generally known in the art. Current drainage systems used in soffits or overhangs typically include an elongated strip of metal or some other material. The metal strip extends vertically at its top end, and is positioned behind the water resistant barrier. The strip extends down the wall, and is eventually angled towards the exterior of the building to direct moisture and water to the outside of the exterior cladding. At the bottom of the strip, the strip material is bent so that it again becomes vertical and/or flush with the exterior of the stucco or other material on the building's surface. Water is intended to flow from the inside drainage plane across the sloped portion and drip off the end of the accessory. Often times, however, the water weeps through the pre-punched holes; which are located in the sloped portion of the accessory. This water remains in the stucco cladding allowing the stucco to become saturated. The saturated stucco will then deteriorate the framing members that it up against. Surface water that flows down the face of the exterior cladding will continue to run along the underside of a soffit or overhang with this accessory rather then drop off the soffit corner. This creates more opportunity for leaking inside the building and/or unintended displacement of water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a device and system for removing moisture from the drainage plane of the exterior cladding of a building, and is specifically designed for use in overhangs and soffits. The term “overhang,” as used herein, is a broad term, and is used in accordance with its ordinary meaning. The term includes, but is not limited to, soffits, corner returns, bay windows, etc. It is an object of the invention to provide a device which can efficiently remove moisture from the drainage inside of an overhang. It is also an object of the invention to provide a device which is configured such that water drips off its end and does not continue to flow along the underside surface of a soffit or overhang.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the various devices, systems and methods presented herein are described with reference to drawings of a certain embodiment, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, such devices, systems, and methods. The drawings include two figures. It is to be understood that the attached drawings are for the purpose of illustrating concepts of the embodiments discussed herein and may not be to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the device and surrounding environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed toward a device and system for removing moisture from the drainage plane of the exterior cladding to the surface of the exterior cladding, and is specifically designed for use in soffits and overhangs.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the device 7. As can be seen in the figure, the device 7 has a generally vertical top section, an angled section, and a lower section with both generally vertical and horizontal faces. The device is configured to be placed under the water resistant barrier at the vertical top section allowing the angled section to extend to the soffit corner, in order to remove moisture to the surface of the exterior wall.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the device 7 installed inside a soffit or overhang. Below the overhang is a window 11. As can be seen in the embodiment shown, the device 7 has a generally vertical top section installed over the face of exterior sheathing 1. A peel and stick membrane 3 has been placed over the device 7, providing additional protection from corrosion and water infiltration. A water resistant barrier 2 has been lapped in a weather bonded fashion over the peel and stick membrane 3. A lath 4 has been placed over the water resistant barrier 2, and fastened through the exterior sheathing 1 into a framing member.

On the underside of the soffit or overhang, the lath 13 has been fastened directly to the framing member 6 and tucked into a drip edge 9. Stucco 5 has been installed on the vertical portion and underside of the overhang.

On the underside of the overhang and above the window 11, a return ground lip 10 provides a screed point to ensure the proper thickness of the stucco 5 and also maintains a drip edge 9 for water or moisture to drip off the corner of the device 7.

Water or moisture often accumulates within an overhang or wall such as that shown in FIG. 2. The moisture or water seeps through the stucco 5 via cracks or unsealed termination points and continues on past lath material 4 and into a drainage plane 12. In order to remove the water or moisture, device 7 is installed. In use, the water or moisture is directed down and alongside the top portion of device 7, illustrated by the generally vertical section in FIG. 2. The device 7 has at least one angled portion 8 which further directs the water towards the exterior of the overhang and building. Once the water reaches the exterior surface, the device 7 angles back down in a generally vertical direction again. This creates a vertical dropping point for the water. However, as described above, often times water will continue to flow along the underneath surface of the overhang. This phenomenon can be eliminated by incorporating the drip edge 9 shown in FIG. 2.

Drip edge 9 comprises a first, generally horizontal face attached to a second, generally vertical face, creating a “cup” or “groove” near the corner of the overhang. Attached to the second, vertical face is a ground lip 10. Ground lip 10 acts as a screed, ensuring the proper thickness of stucco 5 along the underside of the overhang and also helping to maintain the drip edge 9. The design of drip edge 9 and drip edge 10 ensures that any water or moisture coming down the top vertical portion of device 7 and angled portion 8 does not have a pathway for traveling horizontally along the underside of the overhang. By incorporating a “cup” or “groove” as described above which hangs beneath the underside of the overhang, the water is forced, via gravity, to fall from the building.

In some embodiments, the drip edge 9 and ground lip 10 additionally act as an area for attachment of lath material 4. As seen in FIG. 2, one end of a lath material 13 may be inserted or fastened within the cup or groove formed by drip edge 9 and ground lip 10 and then further fastened to the framing member 6 along the underside of the overhang.

The device 7 may be comprised of a number of materials, including but not limited to galvanized sheet metal, zinc, copper, PVC, and stainless steel. Other materials may also be used. Additionally, in some embodiments it may be possible for both the first face and second face of drip edge 9 to be angled, as opposed to generally horizontal and vertical, wherein the two faces still create a “cup” or “groove” that prevents water from further moving along or traveling along the underside of the overhand.

Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the inventions have been shown and/or described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of these inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. 

1. A moisture drainage system for use in building construction comprising an elongate strip of material configured for placement within a generally vertical wall of an overhang, the strip comprising: at least one angled portion configured to direct the flow of moisture in the wall out of said building cladding; a drip edge along a first side, the drip edge comprising a first face aligned in a generally horizontal direction and orthogonal with said wall when installed in place, and a second face extending from the first face at an angle from said first face; and a ground lip extending from the second face at an angle from said second face so that moisture more reliably drops from the drip edge.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a membrane configured for adhesive placement over a portion of the strip to provide additional protection from corrosion and water filtration.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a water resistant barrier configured to be lapped in a weather bond fashion over the membrane.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a first lath material configured to be fastened on top of the water resistant barrier through exterior sheathing on one side of the corner of the building; a second lath material configured to be fastened directly to a framing member on a second side of said corner of the building, said second lath material configured to fit into a groove formed by said drip edge at one end; and stucco material configured to be fastened to said first and second lath materials. 